In a new overnight poll of more than 3,000 CARP members, the vast majority (84%) are outraged (36%), angry (27%) or upset (21%) that the federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers have decided to forestall any action on enhancing CPP at their meeting yesterday. Furthermore, one half agrees these finance ministers are representing Canadians very poorly (47%) in making this decision.

Close to three quarters of CARP members agree that federal and provincial inaction on CPP reform is not due to a poor economy (17%) but is caused by a lack of political will on the part of finance ministers to face down critics (70%). Two thirds also warn that this delay in implementing CPP reform will be a factor in the upcoming provincial elections in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (66%).

“The Federal Finance Minister has explicitly said that doing nothing about CPP is an option. This kind of cynical analysis, especially in the face of the wholehearted support Canadians gave to those who ran on pension reform in the recent Ontario and Federal elections, is the reason Canadians have come to lose their faith in politicians from all parties. Our members are outraged at this callous rejection of a mandate they very carefully gave those they elected. The federal and provincial finance ministers need to sit back down and come to a different conclusion.”

– Susan Eng, Executive Vice-President CARP

Detailed Findings

The vast majority of CARP members (84%) are outraged (36%), angry (27%) or upset (21%) that the federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers have delayed action on CPP reform.

The federal, provincial and territorial finance ministers met, and decided not to begin work enhancing CPP, but to study the issue further. This is despite three years of study, expert recommendations to increase CPP and two elections won on the issue. How would you describe your reaction to this decision?

Outraged

36%

Angry

27%

Upset

21%

Not very concerned

8%

Not at all concerned

7%

DON’T KNOW

2%

The vast majority think these finance ministers are representing Canadians poorly in making this decision (87%), and as many as half say they are acting extremely poorly (47%).

Older Canadians voted to support CPP reform in both the recent Ontario and Federal elections. How well do you think the finance ministers are representing Canadians by making this decision to further delay their responsibility to act on CPP?

WELL

11%

Extremely well

3%

Very well

3%

Somewhat well

5%

NOT WELL

87%

Not very well

16%

Not at all well

23%

Extremely poorly

47%

DON’T KNOW

2%

Almost three quarters of members think inaction on CPP reform is due to lack of political will in facing critics (70%), rather than genuine economic concerns (18%).

Those who speak against CPP reform say the economy is too weak to permit enhanced employer and employee contributions. Is this decision by the finance ministers to delay action due to genuine economic concerns, or is it caused by a lack of political will to face down critics?

Genuine economic concerns

18%

Lack of political will to face down critics

70%

DON’T KNOW

12%

Two thirds of CARP members (66%) say this decision to stall CPP reform will be an important factor in the upcoming provincial elections in Manitoba and Saskatchewan this spring.

There will be provincial elections in Manitoba and Saskatchewan this coming year. How important will CPP enhancement be as an issue to you in each of these elections?

IMPORTANT

66%

Extremely important

21%

Very important

29%

Somewhat important

16%

NOT IMPORTANT

16%

Not very important

9%

Not at all important

7%

DON’T KNOW

18%

This poll was conducted on December 21/22 among more than 3000 CARP Poll™ panel members. A probability sample of this size has a margin of error of plus or minus 2%, 19 out of 20 times.

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP’s mission. CARP has 300,000 members nationwide.